The End of 100% Tariffs Comes into Effect

As of June 1, the elimination of tariffs of up to 100% that Ecuador had imposed on imports from Colombia has officially taken effect. The measure was formalized by Ecuador’s National Customs Service (SENAE), which revoked the rate implemented during the most recent months of the trade dispute between the two countries. The decision marks the end of a period of commercial tensions that directly impacted the flow of goods and foreign trade operations along the Colombia–Ecuador border, one of the most important logistics corridors in the Andean region.

Logistics Impacts of Tariff Elimination

The removal of these tariffs represents a significant shift for the supply chains connecting both countries. With the measure in place, import and export operations can once again be carried out without the additional costs generated by extraordinary tariffs that had reached 100%. This facilitates the reactivation of trade flows and removes barriers that had slowed down the movement of goods.

For stakeholders involved in road transport, regional distribution, customs management, and foreign trade, this marks the beginning of a new operational phase after several months of restrictions. Border crossings, particularly strategic corridors such as Rumichaca, are beginning to return to more stable and normalized conditions.

Border Traders Welcome the Decision

Various commercial sectors linked to border activity have expressed satisfaction with the removal of tariffs. According to reports, traders believe the measure can help restore economic exchange between the two countries. However, they have also highlighted the need for additional support to address the losses incurred during the months of trade dispute, as the accumulated impact affected both small merchants and companies with cross-border operations.

The Importance of Being Prepared for Regulatory Changes

Recent developments between Ecuador and Colombia demonstrate how regulatory decisions can significantly alter international trade conditions in a relatively short period of time. For companies involved in cross-border operations, having specialized support in logistics, customs management, and supply chain planning is key to adapting quickly and maintaining operational continuity in changing environments.

In this context, logistics providers with experience in binational routes can offer greater visibility, efficiency, and operational control—especially when market conditions shift rapidly.

Logistics, opportunity, and proximity as competitive advantages

For years, Venezuela was outside the focus of many Colombian exporting companies. Today, that panorama is changing. The gradual reactivation of binational trade, combined with new operating conditions and stronger business articulation, is restoring Venezuela’s position as a natural export market, especially for companies based in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

In this scenario, Santa Marta is gaining relevance as a key logistics platform to structure, scale, and sustain exports to Venezuela—reducing operational barriers and bringing companies closer to a market with latent demand. More than an institutional development, this moment represents a concrete logistics opportunity for companies seeking to diversify markets and capitalize on real geographic advantages.

Santa Marta: The Ideal Logistics Gateway to Venezuela

From an operational standpoint, not all cities are equally positioned to serve this market. Santa Marta stands out for clear reasons.

Venezuela as a Near Market in an Uncertain Global Context

In a global environment marked by high logistics costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical risk, nearby markets gain strategic value. Venezuela offers Colombian exporters something increasingly rare:
a close, familiar market with growth potential, accessible through a well-structured regional logistics network.
Within this context, Santa Marta is not a secondary player—it is a key enabler of export strategy.

Final Reflection: Export Where Logistics Work in Your Favor

Exporting does not always mean going further. Sometimes, it means exporting smarter. The reactivation of trade with Venezuela, coupled with the strengthening of logistics capabilities in Colombia’s Caribbean region, opens a window of opportunity for companies that understand logistics not as a cost, but as a business accelerator.
Venezuela is back on the export radar—and Santa Marta is emerging as the natural gateway to serve it efficiently, securely, and competitively.

Maritime schedule cancellations, known in the industry as blank sailings, have become a recurring tool used by shipping lines to adjust capacity in response to demand.
According to monitoring by the consultancy Drewry, approximately 7% of global sailings scheduled between April and May have been cancelled across the main East–West trade routes of international commerce.

Although these adjustments are part of the normal management of maritime transport, their operational impact can be significant for importers and exporters if not properly anticipated.

What is a schedule cancellation in maritime transport?

A schedule cancellation occurs when a shipping line decides not to operate a specific sailing that was previously scheduled within a regular service, from a specific port and after a defined date. This decision does not mean the service or route is cancelled, but rather that a single vessel rotation is removed on a specific date and port of call. The service continues operating on subsequent scheduled sailings from other ports or on later dates.

Logistics impacts for importers and exporters

Schedule cancellations do not usually result in widespread disruption, but they can lead to relevant operational adjustments within the supply chain.

In this context, anticipation becomes a key factor in maintaining operational continuity.

Our team continuously monitors adjustments made by major shipping lines and coordinates solutions that help anticipate impacts, reduce operational risks, and ensure the continuity of international shipments.

Logistics planning amid capacity adjustments

When shipping lines adjust capacity, logistics moves beyond transportation and becomes scenario management.
Understanding how blank sailings affect routes enables companies to maintain operational continuity even during adjustment periods. Working with logistics partners that have local presence and schedule visibility supports a more agile and structured response to these changes.

How Fenix Global Cargo supports its clients

At Fenix Global Cargo, we support importers and exporters in planning their maritime operations by providing visibility into schedules, space availability, and logistics alternatives. Our team continuously monitors carrier adjustments and coordinates solutions that help anticipate impacts, reduce operational risk, and maintain the continuity of international shipments.

Cargo transporters expressed their dissatisfaction through demonstrations that blocked the main access road to the port, citing the lack of institutional control at the terminals and the inability to meet scheduled appointments due to congestion.
Additionally, local communities also carried out blockades in other access areas, such as the entrance to the Aguadulce Port, motivated by road deterioration in their neighborhoods, although these blockades were lifted after dialogue with local authorities.

Causes Behind Operational Strain

Conclusion

The operational crisis at the Port of Buenaventura, marked by congestion, blockades, and delays, has created significant challenges for transporters and foreign trade. The implementation of the shock plan with 24/7 operation, interinstitutional control, and clear operational requirements represents a strong response to mitigate these problems and improve Colombia’s logistics competitiveness.

Mobility in southwestern Antioquia once again became a central issue for authorities, companies, and communities following the indefinite suspension of the total closure in the Las Areneras sector, in the municipality of Amagá. The measure, initially authorized by INVÍAS, was part of the development of the Pacífico 1 road project and included prolonged daytime restrictions for a full year. Although the closure was never implemented, its planning alone generated strong institutional and sector-wide reactions, highlighting the high logistical dependence on this roadway and the operational risks that a prolonged interruption could generate in the region.

The original closure plan and its operational scope

The initial authorization contemplated a daily total closure, from Monday to Saturday, between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., meaning five continuous hours each day. The schedule extended from January 28, 2026, to January 28, 2027, with exceptions on holidays and during the year-end peak season.To mitigate the impact, alternate routes such as Medellín–Santa Fe de Antioquia–Bolombolo and Medellín–La Pintada–Bolombolo were established, along with an approved Traffic Management Plan and road signage.

From a logistical standpoint, this scheme implied forced rescheduling, longer transit times, increased operating costs, and risks to on-time delivery of time-sensitive cargo.

Non-definitive analysis of future logistical implications

The following section corresponds to a speculative analysis based on publicly available information. It should not be interpreted as a confirmed fact or an official decision regarding future closures. Although the indefinite suspension reduces immediate risk, the coordination committee remains active and sporadic nighttime closures cannot be ruled out. For logistics operations, this implies the need to anticipate, review transport contracts, adjust time windows, and maintain constant communication with clients and partners.
Experience shows that even nighttime closures can generate indirect effects on next-day operations if not properly managed.

Conclusion: infrastructure, logistics, and coordination

The situation in Las Areneras highlights how an infrastructure decision can have cross-cutting logistical impacts across an entire region. The suspension of the closure temporarily avoids massive disruption but also reinforces the importance of coordination between authorities, concessionaires, and logistics stakeholders. For companies moving cargo in southwestern Antioquia, the key will be flexible planning, continuous road monitoring, and the ability to adapt to operational changes.

The beginning of 2026 brought a new adjustment to fuel prices in Colombia, a measure with direct effects on logistics operations and road freight transport. According to official information and economic reports, the increase in gasoline and diesel prices adds to other operating costs such as tolls, significantly raising the cost structure of the sector.

New gasoline and diesel prices as of January 2026

As of January 1, 2026, new regulated prices for regular gasoline and diesel came into effect, as defined by the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG). At the national level, the adjustment translated into average increases of approximately 90 pesos per gallon for gasoline and around 99 pesos per gallon for diesel. As a result, the average price of regular gasoline stands at approximately 16,057 pesos per gallon, while diesel reaches around 10,984 pesos per gallon. These values are not uniform across the country, as they vary by city due to transportation, distribution, and regional logistics costs.

Implications for freight transport

Higher fuel prices have a direct impact on fixed and variable costs in road freight transport. Key implications include pressure on carrier margins, the need to adjust freight rates, and reduced operational flexibility—particularly on logistics corridors with a high concentration of tolls. In addition, regional differences in fuel prices create uneven conditions for companies depending on their location and the routes they operate. Cities with higher distribution costs tend to register higher fuel prices, which affects the competitiveness of certain routes compared to others.

An adjustment scenario for logistics in 2026

The 2026 context presents an operational challenge for Colombia’s logistics sector. Rising fuel prices, combined with the effect of tolls, force companies to place greater emphasis on route efficiency, cost control, and operational planning.

In this environment, logistics management becomes a key factor in mitigating the impact of these increases and maintaining operational continuity amid a landscape of rising costs.

Sources
La República: Nuevos precios de la gasolina y el ACPM desde enero de 2026
El Colombiano: Suben los precios de gasolina y ACPM en Colombia
DataiFX: Alza de combustibles y peajes elevó costos del transporte de carga en casi 10%

During August, coffee imports from Brazil to Colombia rose by 578%, reaching over 113,000 60-kg bags, according to data from the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC).¹
This increase is partly due to the new 50% tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian coffee, while Colombian coffee maintains a 10% rate. This change has altered trade flows in the region and is generating unexpected movements in both origin and destination markets.¹

The Federation has called for stronger controls on entry, registration, and traceability, ensuring that each operation maintains transparency in the origin and destination of the beans.¹
Although the situation could open an opportunity for Colombian coffee to gain ground in the U.S. market, the industry warns that the country does not have sufficient inventories to respond to a sudden increase in demand.² In a global environment where regulatory changes are immediately reflected in supply chains, this situation reaffirms the importance of having solid logistics processes, documentary traceability, and strategic partners that guarantee the integrity of each operation.

Implications for the Logistics Sector

The case of Brazilian coffee is a clear example of how trade decisions between powers—such as the United States and Brazil—affect intermediate markets like Colombia, both in its role as producer and importer.¹ The increased flow of coffee into the country implies greater pressure on ports, customs, and inspection systems, requiring optimization of load planning, inventory management, and origin documentation.²

Additionally, logistics operators must stay alert to new patterns in merchandise movement, as tariff variations can quickly change traditional routes.
Ensuring complete traceability, from the country of shipment to the distribution point, becomes a critical factor in maintaining consumer and international market trust.²In this context, having certified logistics partners with international experience is key to efficiently navigating the new dynamics of global trade, protecting brand reputation, and ensuring the legality and quality of each operation.

Sources:

• El Colombiano
• Agrolatam